Noise concerns over Hopedale crypto mining facility continue

The crypto, or Bitcoin, mining facility in Hopedale remains a concern for residents because of ongoing noise issues. Hopedale resident Ed Pizzino again appeared before the Harrison County commissioners at their Nov. 19 meeting, repeating concerns he has raised previously and bringing new questions regarding federal noise regulation.

This time, Pizzino asked why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rescinded a noise act that was created in 1972 but reversed in 1982. According to the EPA website, the change came “as part of a shift in federal noise control policy to transfer the primary responsibility of regulating noise to state and local governments.”

The website also notes that the Noise Control Act of 1972 and the Quiet Communities Act of 1978 were never rescinded by Congress and remain in effect, though they are “essentially unfunded.”

Pizzino told the board he has struggled to get answers because “nobody gets back to me.”

“The question I posed to them is ‘can you give me information on when and how the EPA did away with the noise’ act,” he said, adding that he wants to know who was responsible for its disappearance and who voted on it “from start to finish.”

Pizzino asked commissioners for any information or contacts, noting the county lost its representative when Don Jones, R-95th District, resigned in May. Jones has since been replaced by Ty Moore, R-Lima.

“I can tell you he is very receptive, very responsive, very similar in nature to how Representative Jones handled calls,” Commissioner Dustin Corder said.

Kelly Sprague, legislative aide for District 95, responded by email when asked about Moore’s awareness of the situation.

“He is aware of and concerned about the noise complaints in Harrison County,” Sprague said. “Our office is currently organizing a tour of the crypto facility in Hopedale to better understand the situation.”

In other business, the board read a notice regarding Brownfield grants, which provide funding for the assessment and cleanup of industrial and commercial properties that may be affected by environmental contamination.